Breaking in to BioPharma – How to do it without a Science Degree

There is no doubt about it – Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical organisations from around the world have identified Ireland as an absolute hub for their operations. The IDA has done a magnificent job in attracting the likes of Alexion, Pfizer, BMS and GSK to name a few. Every day we hear or read about so many jobs being created or so much being invested and I’m sure you have asked yourself – How do I make the move into this industry with all this opportunity around?

A common misconception is that it is essential to have a scientific or engineering background to break into the Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical sectors – don’t let this deter you! Although this is absolutely necessary for some positions such as QC or Technical Specialists, there are other jobs within the Pharma sector that allow more flexibility on this. These positions are not exclusively in more commercially focused roles, some are in key areas such as the actual manufacture of the drug, the supply chain etc.

So, why would you want to work in the Pharmaceutical/Biopharmaceutical sector? Firstly, if you’re looking for a new career direction, it’s always best to go where the growth is and that is very much true in the pharma sector. In the IDA’s own words: “nine of the world’s top 10 pharma companies have operations here; Ireland is the eighth largest producer and the fifth largest exporter of pharmaceuticals globally; 120 pharmaceutical companies have bases in this country; and 33 pharma and biopharma plants are FDA approved.”

Why Pharma?

A job in the Pharmaceutical sector isn’t just an interim role either, it is a great place to start a long term and satisfying career. Companies in this industry tend to be invested in your career development and encourage upskilling and continuously improving and building on your knowledge. A great example of this is Alexion and their Intern program taking students from over 9 different higher education institutions, including Queen’s, UCD, UL and AIT to name a few. By providing the practical aspect required as part of the intern’s course Alexion are demonstrating an investment in the future for a skilled workforce.

If you are new to the industry, most of the larger companies will provide detailed training programmes on all of the tasks you will be expected to complete on a daily basis. Furthermore, asking questions is not only acceptable, but actively encouraged! The pace of change in these organisations can be intimidating at times but they have all invested heavily in their inter Learning & Development functions to allow them proactively manage and upskill their staff.

Most importantly, working in this sector is a chance to make a real difference. There is great job satisfaction to be gained from being involved in producing something that will improve or save people’s lives. You could potentially play a part in bringing a drug to market that changes the way we deal with major diseases such as Cancer, Heart Disease and Alzheimer’s.

Where do you start?

If you are looking to move into this sector, before pursuing a science degree, there are a few avenues you can explore. Look out for job advertisements that don’t specify that prior Pharmaceutical experience is a requirement – some companies will consider people with transferable skills who they can train. The most important factor in these roles is your desire to work in the industry and develop your skills.

You could explore upskilling or education opportunities too – organisations like NIBRT and Innopharma Labs deliver targeted education and upskilling courses. Many of the Universities and Institutes of Technology also offer relevant and practical Diploma, Degree and Master’s options.

The Pharmaceutical/Biopharmaceutical sector is the fastest growing industry in the country and this is set to continue for the foreseeable future. Upskilling for pharma offers you the opportunity to reinvent yourself and redefine your career path – there is no time like the present!

Thank You

Well all I can say is congratulations on reaching the end of the post and that I am flattered I have captured your attention up to this point. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me directly and if you are seeking to take the next step in your career and wish to have a confidential discussion I am here to provide what assistance I can.